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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0081370_Enforcement_20140114 . . •os a ervice Tu CERTIFIED MAILTr,, RECEIPT • (Domestic Mail Only;No Insurance Coverage Provided) For delivery information visit our website at www,usps.corn OFFICIAL USE Postage $ R Certified Fee • Return Receipt Fee Postmark 3 (Endorsement Required) Here Restricted Delivery Fee 3 (Endorsement Required) - / 3• Tot. CITY OF CLAREMONT PO BOX 446 Sent CLAREMONT NC 2861') 7 scree ATTN: MR DOUG BARRICK, CITY MGR ---- - or P( City, swp/ma 1/14/14 ---------- Certified Mail Provides: ■ A mailing receipt ■ A unique identifier for your mailpiece ■ A record of delivery kept by the Postal Service for two years 'mportant Reminders: ■ Certified Mail may ONLY be combined with First-Class Mail®or Priority Mai ■ Certified Mail is not available for any class of international mail. ■ NO INSURANCE COVERAGE IS PROVIDED with Certified Mail. 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PS Form 3800.August 2006(Reverse)PSN 7530-02-000-9047 • SENDER: COMPLETE THIS SECTION COMPLETE THIS SECTION ON DELIVERY • Complete items 1,2,and 3.Also complete A, Sig-nature item 4 if Restricted Delivery is desired. r ►i Agent • Print your name and address on the reverse X _ 1 -� ddress€ so that we can return the card to you. B. Rece ed by(Printed Name) , C. Date of Delivei • Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece, or on the front if space permits. D. Is delivery address different from item 1? ❑Yes 1. Article Addressed to: If YES,enter delivery address below: ❑ No CITY OF CLAREMONI PO BOX 496 CLAREMONT NC 28610 Al-TN: MR DOUG BARRICK, CITY MGR 3. Service Type swp/ma 1/14/14 Q Certified Mail ❑ Express Mail /`f' Registered Wteturn Receipt for Merchandi=_ ❑ Insured Mail C.O.D. 4. Restricted Delivery?(Extra Fee) ❑Yes 7010 1870 0001 1558 1474 UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 11 First-Class Mail Postage&Fees Paid LISPS Permit No. G-10 • Sender: Please print your name, address, and ZIP+4 in this box • TV NCDENR WATER QUALITY REGIONAL eftV OPERATIONS SECTION 610 E. CENTER AVE. SUITE 301 MOORESVILLE NC 28115 r:DS V4;L.A A to, *fflF I L Fun kb NR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Res,ources �Nl Division of Water Resources Water Quality Regional Operations Section Pat McCrory Thomas A. Reeder John E, Skvarla, Ill Governor Director Secretary January 14, 2014 ma CERTIFIEDMAIL 7010 1870 00011558 1474 RETURN RECEIPT gLqLESTED Mr. Doug Barrick, City Manager City of Claremont P. 0. Box 446 Claremont, North Carolina 28610 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of KC. General Statute 143-215 . 1la#) and NPDES Permit No. NCO0813 70 McLin Creek WWTP Catawba County Case No. LV-2014-0006 Dear Mr. Barrick This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $2,33641 ($2,187.50 civil penalty + $148.91 enforcement costs) against the City of Claremont. This assessment is based upon the following facts: A review has been conducted of the self - monitoring data reported for August 013. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations found in NPDES Permit No. NCO081 370. The violations are surnmarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that the City of Claremont violated the terms, conditions, or requirements of NPDES Permit No. NCO081370 and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215. 1 (a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. A civil penalty may be assessed in accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(2). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of low, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and, Natural Resources and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, 1, Michael L. Parker, Regional Supervisor for the Water Quality Regional Operations Section, Mooresville Region, hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against the City of Claremont: Mooresville Regional Office Locafion: 610 East Center Ave . ;trite 301 Mooresville, NC 26115 One Phone, (704)663-1699\ Fax: f,7041,,6636040\CustofTierServtce 1-8711-623-6748 Noi-thCtirolina Internet hftpllpoilaf ncdenr org/webiwq An Equal Opportunity , Affirmrattve Ac.lion Employer - 3G%RKyde3Au% Post,-onsumer paper Natur,941 ation(s) of G.S. 1,43-215, I(a)(6) Iq For 4 of the five (5) viol, and 4-i3tS Pe tit No. NCO0813 70, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit weekly average effluent limit for biological oxygen demand (BOD). 37.50 For _ I of the one (1) violation of G.S, 143-215. 1 (a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NCO081370, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for biological oxygen demand (1301)), $148.91 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY Friforcernent costs TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A,(c), in detennining the amount of the penalty I have taken into account the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of I,aw and the factors set forth at G.S. 14313-282. t(b), which are-, (1) The> degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violations; (2) The duration and gravity of the violations; (3) The effect on ground. or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; (4) "I'he cost of rectifying the damage; (5) The -amount of money saved by noncompliance, (6) Whether the violations -were committed willfully or intentionally-, (7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which, the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and (8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. Within thirty days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following- 1. Submit payment of the penalty: Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (do not include waiver, .1brm), Payment of the penalty will not foreclose further enforcement action for any continuing or new violation(s), Please submit payment to the attention of, Point Source Compliance/Enforcement Unit Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 OR 2. Submit a written request for remission including a detailed justification for sueb request: Please be aware that a requestfor remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the, reasonableness of the amount of the penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper procedure, for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Because a remission request forecloses the option of an administrative hearing, such a request must be accompanied by a waiver of your right to an administrative hearing and a stipulation that no factual or legal issues are in dispute. Please prepare a detailed statement that establishes why you believe the civil penalty should be remitted, and submit it to the Division of Water Resources at the address listed below, In Bete wining whether a remission -request will be approved, the following factors shall be considered: (1) whether one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in GS, 143B-282. I(b) were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner; (2) whether the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation; (3) whether the violation was inadvertent, or a result of an accident-, (4) whether the violator had been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; or (5) cArhether payment of the, civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions. Please note that all information presented in support of your request for remission must be submitted in writing. The Director of the Division of Water Resources will review your evidence and irtform you of his decision in the matter of your remission request. The response will provide details regarding case status, directions for payment, and provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Environmental Management Commission's Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions (Comrmttee). Please be advised that the Committee cannot consider information that was not part ofthe original ore, it is very important that you prepare a remission request considered by the Director. eref Th complete and thorough statement in support of your request for remission, In order to request remissionu m, test complete and, submit the enclosed "Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing and Stipulation of Facts" fortit within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you complete, and submit the enclosed "Justification 'for Remission Request," Both forins should be submitted to the following address-, point Source Compliance/Enforeement I-Jnit Division of Water Resources t617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 OR 3. File a petition for an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings: If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment document you must file a petition for all administrative hearing. You may obtain the petition forril from the Office of Administrative Hearings. You must file the petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice. A petition is considered filed when it is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of Administrative Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except for official state holidays. The petition may be filed by facsimile (fax) or electronic mail by an attached file (Nvith restrictions),- provided the signed original, one (1) copy and a filing fee (if a filing fee is required by NCGS § 15013-23,2) is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the taxed or electronic transmission. You should contact the Office of Administrative Hearings with all questions regarding the filing fee and/or the details of the filing process, The, mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as l`611ows: Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 "Fel -. (919)431-3000;Fax: (919)4331-3100 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DENR as follows - Mr. Lacy Presnell, General (,ounsel DENR 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 Please indicate the. case number (as found on page one of this letter) on the petition. Failure to exercise one of the options above within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice, as evidenced by an internal date/time received startip (not a postmark), will result in this matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office for collection of the penalty through a civil action. Please be advised that additional penalties may, be assessed for violations that occur after the review period of this assessment. If the violations are, of a continuingjlglggp��L)gLfratio�ii arldilor bleats and you antic niaintenanc�LRr-0t)—Ie-.,.,--. -ap i.pL ate rerlaedial char struction activities.,then ecru maj, wish to 1 699, ATTACHMENTS Mooresville Regional Office Division ofWater Resources cc: Mooresville Regional Office Compliance File w/attachments Raleigh Compliance/Enforcement File w/ attachments Central Filesvv/ attachments ATTACHMENT A CASE NO. LV-2014-0006 Outfall Date Parameter _sported 'value Permit Limit 001 Week ending 8/3/13 BCD 18.0 mg/l,,* 12.0 mg,'L (Weekly average) 001 Week ending 8/10/13 BOD ITO mg,'L* 12.0 mg/l, (Weekly average) 001 Week ending 8/17/13 BOD 18.0 mg/L* 112,0 ing/l, (Weekly average) 001 Week ending 8/24/13 BOD 16.0 mg/L* 12,0 mg,(L (Weekly average) 0()1 Week ending 8/31/13 BOD 13.0 mg/L 12.0 mg/l, (Weekly average) 001 8/31/13 BOD 16.O mg/l,* 8.0 mg,,L (Monthly average) The City of Claremont did not provide a response to NOV- 2013-L,V-0705, DWR staff did review the comments provided on the August 2013 DMR. Mitigatingfactors were not found to result in a reduced civil penalty amount. STATE E CAL NORTH C ROLIN COUNTY CAP CATAWBA IN THE "T OFASSESSMENTOF CIVIL PEN.ALTY AGAINST CITY OF CLAREMONT PERMIT NO, NCO081370 DEPA .%4Et T OF EINVI ~IC I MENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES WAIVER OF RIGHTTO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARfN'G AND STIPULATION OF FACTS FILE NO. LV-2014-0006 Having been assessed evil penalties totaling . i for violations as set forth in the assessment document of the Division n of Water resources dated January14. 2014, the undersigned, desiring, to seep remission of the civil penalties, does hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -staled matter and doe stipulate that the facts are as alleged in the assessment document.. The undersigned further understands that all evidence, presented in support of remission of this civil penalty must be submitted to the Director of the Division of Water Resources within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment. No new evidence; in support of a remission request will be allowed after 30 days from the receipt of the notice of assessment. This the dad' pf._. 2014 ipSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST DWR Case Number: LV-2014-Gal 006 Assessed Party: City of`Claremont County: Catawba PermitNumber: NCO081aid Amount Assessed. $2,336,41 Please use this, form when requesting remission of this eivil penalty, You must also complete, the "&ea vy lleqt°Lng,-gn�L� yt�st For --n-y, I�tj-r pf _BjghtLo t jdmhjk�Lra(L .form to request remission of this civil penalty. 'You should attach any documents that you believe support your request, and are necessary for the Director to consider in evaluating your request for remission, Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violationts) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Pursuant to N.C.G.S, § 14313-2821(c), remission of a civil penalty may be granted only when, one or more of the following five factors applies. Please check each factor that you believe applies to your case and provide a detailed explanation, including copies of supporting docurnents, as to why the factor applies (attach additional pages as needed). (a) one or in jv �Iena�ltv _S 143B 81.11jL) were ----io_re —Of thle-c _4ssg,;smeqt factors _m C G ji r (the assessmentfizetors are listed �,,n,fqll, , _p, a tied to the detriment of the -IlLtion in the civil penalty asse,ssozent do cupzen); (b) fie; violatQLpronip -_ ,tly abated contmui!ig qn-� Lirqn kcal a_pq re�sqjting fforn th oF Vio iron (L e. , explain the su q- -,ps that you took to correct the violation andprevent ./ature occurrence.$)" (c) the violation wp,, �inady—ertent Pr -a —result of an accident (i.e-, explain wkv the violation was unavoidable or something -you could not prevent or preparefir),' (d) the v Lolani- had not ma -T[ —assessed civil pertaltigs for aUTLevious violations- (e) pqyMent of` he gill en!1!Lw—i-ll-P-t-q-eqtpnm:g�nLCor the j1pl, ��Lqspry re�raedial ag�y willprevent youftomperforming g Lo n a qfcivil enal p �� (i.e., expl in how pqyment 'the the activities necessaij, to achieve compliance), .xpLAN,A,,TjON,'.- (use additional pages as neeessai�v Violator- City of Qarernont Facility: McLin (-'reek WWTP County: Catawba Case Number: 1,V-2014-00tad Permit Number: NCO081370 jigill��11111! A 1: LIMA 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; The BOD concentration was 18.0 mg/L, 1TO mg/L, 18.0 mg/L, 16,0 mgIL, and 13,0 mg/L on July 31st, August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. Each was the only sample collected during the monitoring week in question causing five weekly average violations compared with the permit limit of 12.0 mg/L (50.0%, 41,7%, 50%, 33,3% and 8.3% over permit limit respectively). The elevated concentrations contributed to a monthly average BOD concentration of 16.0 mg/L, which exceeded the permit limit of 8.0 mg/L by 100.0%, 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; The effect on the receiving stream is unknown, However, BOD is treated as an in -stream toxicant by the State of North Carolina, As an oxygen -consuming waste increased concentrations could reduce the amount of oxygen available to aquatic organisms downstream from the discharge. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; The cost is unknown, 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; The amount of money saved by noncompliance is unknown. 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; process. the highest flow noted on the August 2013-D1 R was 0,304 ; it was the only one greater than the 0,300 MGD permitted flow limit. The prior record of the violator to complving or failing to comply w4th programs over which the Environmental Management eat it on has regulatory authority,; and `here have been 26 previous PA for the McLin Creek WWTP with five CRAB issued in the past 1 months. r Case Number ref Desc ion _. �F 4 1 LV for P 1Y and ammonia, Penalt full. ray paid in full. LV-2013-01 1 x 4. 1 LV for 1 a d� _ Y LV-C�13-ti1�l ` 3�.1 LV fir � _ _ .and ammonia, q.Pnaltwra laid in fill, LV 1-01 7 ° $1,148.91 LV for BOD and ammonia, Pe Itywa aijjn full. z t 13- 13 397. 4 LV for BO . Penaltjr way and in fill. ) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. . The cost to the Division of Water Resources is $148.91 , ate inhaal L. ParkerR , egienal uperviar Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville ville Regional Office Division of Water Resources MONITORINry RFPORTIM I VtfOt TUI f^r Round Date: 121G4d13 Pats : 1 of 5 PERMITO081370 FACILITY: City of Claremont - ` Lin Crook WWTP Catawba REGIOW Mooresville Limit Violation t MONITORING CUTFALL t VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED p REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE COVER L IMIT VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION ( �I t 08 -2013 001 Effluent BOO, 5-Day (2 Deg, } � 0810311 "3 Meekly rrlgll 12 � 18 50, Weekly Average Exceeded None IL Concentration t ° 08 -2013 001 Effluent BOD, _Guy (20 Deg, ) - 08MG/13 V kIy mg1l 12 17V 41 A7 Weekly Average Exceeded None Concentration entratio 08 -2013 001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg, C) - 08117113 Weekly rrgA 12 18VxM 50 Meekly Average Exceeded None Concentration 08 _2013 001 Effluent l3DD„ 5-Day (20 Deg. D) - 08124113 'Weekly m9A 12 15Y` 33,33 Weekly Average Exceeded None,�� �I •, Concentration 08 -2013 001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. Cl . 08/31113 Weekly rngll 8 181v 100 Monthly Average Exceeded Norge Concentrafion 08 _20'13 001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. ) 08131113 Weekly rrrgll 12 12v 8,33 Weekly Average Exceeded None �. . 6rkr,,er$n PERMIT: NCO071943 FACILITY: Town of Bolling Springs - Boiling Springs WWTP ll~ITY: Cleveland REGI N: Moo , �3 1-Imit Violation MONITORING C)UTFALL I VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE %COVER LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACT$ON 08-2013 001 Effluent Cclifcr i, Fecal MF, lvl-FC; 08/03/13 Weekly #1100rn1 400 410`/ 2.5 Weekly metric Mean; None 8lroth,44.5C Exceeded `A / • t- s irei AP Previdus mod Penalties None of prior O&haftle� Were reduced DMIR as ... Comments: DMIR Pi&i6us ! "s penalties ViotM m o Rat. There were three weekly BOD violations 91. %, %, and % over limit), monthly BOD violation . % over), and monthly ammonia violation .4% over); four of five assessed -only BOD. DMR notes, `"The facility influent flow contained foaming surfactant, which caused an upset to the plant process. We are continuing to feed surfactant micro- May-1 3 organisms to help speed recovery to the plant process. In addition, the City of Hickory and City of Claremont are meeting with local industries to talk about the use of surfactants in their processes and possible ways to reduce the amount that is used. We are continuing to monitor industries for flaw characteristics to fired possible sources of the problem to prevent future violations.' Rear. u, 1-1i0/14 Page "I of NPDES DMR Violation Penalty Worksheet There were three weekly BOD violations (33a3%, 183 3%, and 108.3% over limit), monthly BOD violation (13 .2% over), two weekly ammonia violations (56.5 and 136. % over), and a monthly ammonia violation (149.4% raver), seven of seven violations assessed. C IU R notes, "The facility is still struggling to recover from the upset that occurred. The increased- rainfall we have received has significantly slowed the recovery process.: e are continuing to feed surfactant micro-organisms along with regenerative micro-organisms to help speed recovery to the plant process. June-13 In addition, we are continuing to monitor industries for flow characteristics to fired possible sources of the problem to prevent future violations." The flow data reported on the June 2013 DMR was reviewed. The plant is permitted to handle 0.300 MGD flow. The highest flow noted on the June 013 DMR was 0.36 MGD and there were only 3 of the 30 days in the month with a flow 0. 0 MGD. The average influent flows from January to June 2013 were 0.16 MGD, 0.157 MGD, 0.132 MGD, 0.154 MG , 0.135 MGD, and 0.141 MGD so rainfall does not appear to be impacting the influent flow in June. There were three weekly BOD violations (75 33.3%, and 33.3% over limit) and a monthly BOD violation (105% river), four of four assessed. t notes, `the facility received abnormally high amounts of rainfall, which in turn caused hydraulic overloading at the facility. This has Julys-13 significantly slowed the recovery process. We are continuing to feed regenerative microorganisms to help speed recovery to the plant process." The highest flow noted on the July 2013 DMR was 0.454 MGD and there were 4 of the 31 days in the month with a;flowv 0.30 MGD (permitted flow limit). Other Relevant Some flow from Claremont forth WWTP directed to McLin Creek WWTP Information: including washw ter from trucking site high in surfactants; permitted flow of 0.300 Proposed enact [Outcome: Icreas+s e+crease Same Penalty,167.0 Final Penail �,� Notes: lUER6 iAi Page 2 of 2 Rev. 0, 1-1011